The Cabarrus Partnership for Children, Cabarrus County Government, and Early Childhood Foundation of Cabarrus County (ECFCC) partnered together to provide a virtual Week of the Young Child (WOYC) Celebration from April 10-16, 2021.
WOYC was established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) in 1971, making this year the 50th anniversary of the celebration. The purpose of the WOYC is to focus public attention on the needs of young children and their families and to recognize the early childhood programs and services that meet those needs.
The Anne Laukaitis Champion for Children Award is in honor of Anne’s distinguished Smart Start leadership and her long career dedicated to the service of young children and families in Cabarrus County. This award is given annually to an exceptional individual at the local level who is devoted to public service and whose leadership qualities have resulted in significant change for the betterment of young children, families, and communities. Among the leadership qualities the recipient will exemplify are:
Passionate commitment to the vision of a stronger community for children and families.
The ability to lead and inspire others in pursuit of that vision.
Personal integrity, humility, and professional will.
Willingness to work hard, stay the course even in the face of adversity, and acknowledge the contributions of others.
An unbridled and optimistic pursuit of possibility.
The Twelfth Annual Anne Laukaitis Champion for Children Award will be given at the 2021 Annual Meeting/Voices for Children Luncheon of the CCPC Board of Directors on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at All Saints Episcopal Church Parish Hall. The recipient will be honored and will receive a plaque of thanks at the meeting. The family of the recipient will be invited to the Annual Meeting/Voice for Children Luncheon to share in the award presentation.
Nomination Procedures
Who can make nominations? Nominations for the Anne Laukaitis Champion for Children Award can be submitted by anyone that works and serves in Cabarrus County. The nominee must have worked to improve the lives of young children in Cabarrus County and exemplifies the above listed leadership qualities.
When is the deadline for award nominations? Nominations must be emailed to Ann Benfield at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or mailed (P.O. Box 87, Kannapolis, NC 28082-0087) by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, October 15, 2021.
Who will review the nominations? The nominations will be reviewed by CCPC board of directors or the appointed Nomination Review Committee.
Who should I call if I need additional information? Please call Ann Benfield 704-933-8278 ext 4 or 202-297-4733 email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with any questions regarding the nomination or award.
2019 - Paula Yost, Cabarrus Co. Child Protection Team
Ashlie Shanley presented the award to Paula Yost Schupp, calling her a trademark attorney who is devoted to the welfare of our children. Paula volunteers countless hours heading the Cabarrus County Child Protection Team and facilitates meetings and the sharing of resources between our local child protection agencies so that they can serve our children better. Paula is also a loving mom, a wife, an attorney, and the owner of the Country Law Shack in Mount Pleasant.
Paula's extraordinary passion for helping children in our community is the reason why she was named the Anne Laukaitis Champion for Children Award recipient for 2019.
2009 Debbie Biggerstaff 2010 Felicia Wilson 2011 Pam Smith 2012 Norman Franklin 2013 Andrea Palo 2014 Rev. Donald Anthony & Angela Ward 2015 Jackie Whitfield 2016 Ashlie Shanley 2017 Andrea King & Wilma Means 2018 Starla Hatley 2019 Paula Yost 2020 Dr. Russell Suda
The U.S. Department of Treasury awarded Cabarrus County Government more than $6.5 million to help local households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding is available through the $25 billion Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) established by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021. The County can use the funds through December 31, 2021.
The Mary Frances Wall Center in Concord is offering a free summer camp for pre-k students of Cabarrus County residents and essential workers. Students must be the age of 3 or 4 years old on or before the start of the summer program on June 7, 2021.
